New Hampshire: Discover Mountains, Lakes, and History

New Hampshire combines high-altitude mountain landscapes, lake routes, gorges, and museums with unusually tangible experiences. Mount Washington State Park is located on a 58.8-acre summit area on the highest mountain in the Northeast. From the 6,288-foot summit, clear-weather views extend up to 130 miles toward Vermont, New York, Massachusetts, Maine, Québec, and the Atlantic Ocean. This range alone shows how varied a trip through the state can be.

Experience Mount Washington by Train, Car, or Hiking Trail

Visitors can reach Mount Washington State Park by the Cog Railway, via the Auto Road, or along one of the many hiking trails to the summit. The Mount Washington Cog Railway offers a three-hour round trip with a one-hour stop at the summit. From late October through early May, it operates in winter as far as Waumbek Station at an elevation of 4,000 feet. There, raised viewing platforms, heated shelters, a fire pit, and free hot refreshments are available.

Those who drive up the mountain themselves use the 7.6-mile Mount Washington Auto Road. It passes through four different ecological zones while gaining more than 4,000 feet in elevation. The road opened in 1861 and is considered America’s oldest human-made tourist attraction. When choosing a vacation apartment or vacation home, it can therefore be important to consider whether you want to focus on a mountain drive, a train ride, or hiking.

Gorges, Waterfalls, and a Lake

Franconia Notch is an eight-mile-long mountain pass between the Kinsman and Franconia mountain ranges. A parkway runs from Flume Gorge in the south to Echo Lake in the north; a separate road crosses the entire Franconia Notch and provides access to the park facilities and natural features. Swimming, fishing, and boating are possible at Echo Lake, and kayaks and pedal boats can also be rented.

Flume Gorge, at the foot of Mount Liberty, is an 800-foot-long natural gorge. The Flume Trail forms a two-mile loop that begins at the ticket booths in front of the Flume Building. At the upper end of the gorge is Avalanche Falls, a waterfall 45 feet, or 13.6 meters, high. A scavenger hunt for children and families accompanies the walk. Other notable destinations include Ripley Falls, a 100-foot cascade reached after a half-mile walk, and the nearly 200-foot-high Arethusa Falls, the highest waterfalls in the state of New Hampshire. The access road to the 1.4-mile hiking trail branches off Route 302 about half a mile south of Dry River Campground.

History Between an Artists’ Colony and Shaker Buildings

In addition to natural attractions, New Hampshire offers unusual historical insights. Saint-Gaudens National Historical Park was once the home of sculptor Augustus Saint-Gaudens and an unofficial center of the Cornish artists’ colony. At the Willey House Historic Site, a museum tells the story of a natural disaster in which the Willey family and two hired men disappeared while their house remained undamaged.

Canterbury Shaker Village comprises 25 original and 4 reconstructed Shaker buildings. The National Historic Landmark and museum offers guided tours, programs, exhibitions, research resources, and publications. The site also includes nearly 700 acres of forests, nature trails, gardens, and ponds. At the Strawbery Banke Museum in Portsmouth, the history of the Puddle Dock neighborhood can be traced over more than 350 years. The historic houses open to visitors include grand mansions, homes of working families, a colonial tavern, and a 1940s shop; most stand on their original sites.

Lake Routes and Maple Syrup

The Lakes Region Tour travels around Lake Winnipesaukee. Along the route, stops are possible for hiking, visits to historical museums, walks through town centers, and a ride on the MS Mount Washington. Boating, fishing, and hiking are also among the outdoor activities mentioned. On the western side of Lake Winnipesaukee, the tour offers views of the lake and the Ossipee Mountain Range.

A special culinary tradition is maple syrup production. At sugarhouses throughout New Hampshire, visitors can watch the production process and sample the products. Maple syrups and maple candies are available year-round. During the annual New Hampshire Maple Weekend in March, more than 90 sugarhouses open their doors.

The Right Region for Your Travel Plans

When looking for a vacation apartment or vacation home, it is worth deciding first which mix of activities you want for your trip. Mountain drives and waterfalls lead to a different daily itinerary than museums, historic townscapes, or a drive around Lake Winnipesaukee. Families can combine natural experiences such as Flume Gorge with a scavenger hunt, while those interested in culture can make Canterbury Shaker Village, Strawbery Banke, or Saint-Gaudens National Historical Park the focus of their trip.

For further regional orientation, you can consider the following subregions individually: Rockingham, Cheshire, Carroll, Grafton, Strafford, Coos, Belknap, Merrimack County, Sullivan County, Hillsborough County, and New Castle.

For the higher-level travel overview: USA.